This year, anyone who has never been a member, never visited or taken a walk through the Wellness Center at Refugio Memorial Hospital will be offered a one-week free membership at Wednesday’s annual Health Fair. Above, Jennifer Gray of the Wellness Center and Santos Aguirre Jr., a member, use the elliptical machine, one of the numerous state-of-the-art exercise machines.

REFUGIO — Never taken a walk through the Wellness Center? Never been a member? Never visited?

Every person who comes to the Annual Refugio County Memorial Hospital Health Fair on Wednesday, Oct. 25 from 1 - 6 p.m. and can answer no to those three questions will receive a free one-week membership to the Wellness Center in Refugio.

“The center is great for our community and it’s reasonable,” said Louis Willeke, hospital administrator.

This is the first year the free trial membership has ever been offered. But, as in past years, free flu shots, free tetanus shots and free blood screening will also be available.

A complete blood screening will cost $10, a fraction of the normal cost.

“We’re encouraging everyone to take advantage of everything the fair has to offer,” Willeke said. “The booths are full of valuable information.”

Traditionally 500 to 700 people visit the health fair each year. Lives have been saved by uncovering warning signs through the tests offered.

Diabetes and high blood pressure, along with eyes and ears testing will be available throughout the day.

Remember to fast for at least six hours before taking the blood tests for the best accuracy, Willeke suggested.

Representatives with the Heritage Program will be on hand to explain the services offered at the hospital.

The hospital administrator said the program is highly valuable for residents 65 and older.

“The Heritage Program helps older people and that’s so very, very important,” Willeke said. “They provide socialization and other services and help people combat depression.”

As in past years, booths will be set up that provide a vast amount of information.

“We appreciate the vendors so much,” he said. “Some people many not need these services right now but there will come a time when they will need them.”